The monster is back' KT Ahn Hyun-min 'bang' 132m off-field home run in his first at-bat in an exhibition game [the site of a water source]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz Ahn Hyun-min (23) hit an out-of-court home run in his first at-bat in the KBO League exhibition game this year, signaling the return of the "Monster."

Ahn Hyun-min started as the third batter and right fielder in an exhibition game against the Kiwoom Heroes at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 19th. He pulled a 145km/h fastball from the opponent's starter Kim Yoon-ha with four pitches at a ball count of 3-0 with two outs in the bottom of the first inning when he was 0-0. The ball flew 131.5 meters and disappeared beyond the outfield stand on the left side of the stadium.

Ahn Hyun-min, who played for the national team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), took three days off and played after returning home on the morning of the 16th. When defending right field in the top of the first inning, he caught An Chi-hong's fly at first base with no outs and threw it to third base to catch second baseman Lee Joo-hyung.

KT manager Lee Kang-chul (60) also seemed to welcome the return of a team-centered hitter who has grown into a national team player. Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, he jokingly said, "The young player should have rested for three days," and added, "I will check his condition for the remaining exhibition games. I came back from the game (in the WBC), so I need to adjust my condition."

He also talked about Ahn Hyun-min's performance in the final match against Australia in the first round of the WBC held at Tokyo Dome, Japan on the 9th. Ahn Hyun-min lightly pushed a low ball outside the first pitch in the top of the ninth inning with one out and runners on the first and third bases with the national team leading 6-2, hitting a sacrifice fly to right field. With this RBI, the national team met the "number of cases" score of 7-2, which allowed them to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years.

"He just got it right from the first pitch. He just got it right, thinking that he just needs to hit an outfield fly because he has power (without getting greedy)," coach Lee Kang-chul said. "I'm gradually learning baseball and opening my eyes."

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*This content was translated by AI.